War Memorials

War Memorial Kelham Island Musuem

War Memorial Kelham Island Musuem

The war memorials on display were commissioned by Sheffield firms to commemorate workers who had died in World War I and World War II. Originally they would have been displayed within the company’s buildings, but as many of the firms later closed or merged the memorials were donated to the Museum.

Sheffield played a major role in the two World Wars; from local men who went off to fight, to the factories that produced shells and bombs. With many men fighting at the front line, women took on many of the jobs in the factories.

When war broke out in 1914, Sheffield men were keen to fight and The Sheffield City Battalion was quickly set up as a volunteer regiment. The regiment took part in the first day of the Battle of the Somme losing 248 men in one day, with a further 246 seriously injured.